BEMIDJI, Minn. – While Minnesota has not had a confirmed case of enterovirus D68, the respiratory illness that has sickened hundreds of children in other parts of the Midwest, a local pediatrician advises the public to take appropriate steps for prevention.
“Thorough hand-washing is the key thing for this virus, at least 20 seconds of hand-washing with antiseptic solution,” said Dr. Giridhar Guntreddi, a pediatrician with Sanford Bagley Clinic and Sanford Bemidji Medical Center. “That really, really decreases the spread from one child to another child.”
Enterovirus D68 is part of the family of enteroviruses that Guntreddi said typically peak in late summer. Enteroviruses themselves are not rare, but D68 is less common.
“Enterovirus is the common name in the family but there is a lot of viruses. ...The 68 is one type of virus that is capable of causing respiratory illness,” Guntreddi said.
While the virus is not new, he said the number of children who have become ill and have been hospitalized has prompted concerns. Hundreds of children have been hospitalized with enterovirus illnesses in 12 U.S. states.
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Many of those who contract the virus will feel as if they have a bad cold, but Guntreddi said children under the age of 5 are at higher risk for complications or serious illness because their immune systems are still developing. Many of the hospitalizations have involved children with asthma or underlying lung conditions.
“Usually the presentation is very nonspecific, like we see for all common viruses, starting with a runny nose, cough, chest congestion and worsening of the wheezing,” Guntreddi said.
There is no antiviral drug that combats the virus. Physicians have typically treated patients symptomatically, but Guntreddi said physicians are concerned because D68 has shown to be less responsive to those efforts.
Guntreddi advised children and adults with a severe cough to wear a mask, particularly in schools and day cares. Adults should disinfect commonly shared surfaces and objects and avoid close contact with people who are ill. Anyone who feels sick is urged to stay home.
“This virus will spread by very close contact,” Guntreddi said. “In the next few weeks, I think we will have more severe cases and more cases in Minnesota.”
